US Open final LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz beats Casper Ruud to win maiden grand slam and become world No 1
Live updates from Flushing Meadows in New York as Alcaraz wins his first grand slam and rises to the top of the rankings
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Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz beat Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6(1) 6-3 in the US Open final to win his maiden grand slam title and rise to world number one for the first time.
Alcaraz, 19, fell to his back and cupped his hands to his face, rolling over before jumping up to offer a hug at the net to Ruud.
The electrifying Alcaraz, who thrilled fans over the two-week tournament in New York with his acrobatic shot-making, youthful vigour and late-night finishes, replaced Russian Daniil Medvedev at the top of the rankings.
Alcaraz is the youngest-ever world number one since ATP rankings began in 1973.
Relive a captivating men’s singles final:
What have they said?
Both players have been talking to the press in the build-up to this final but what have they been saying?
“This is my first time. I’m going to give everything that I have,” said Alcaraz. “I have one more [match] to go against a player who is unbelievable.”
Meanwhile, Rudd - who has lost both previous matches against Alcaraz in straight sets said: “Of course, there will be nerves and we will both feel it. I hope it will be a good match. He has beaten me a couple times and I will seek my revenge.”
History on the line at Flushing Meadows
As we mentioned earlier, the winner tonight will become world No 1 (the first time that a men’s grand slam singles final has featured two players with a chance to become world No 1) but there’s plenty of other history that could be made.
- Spanish teenager Alcaraz is contesting his first major final and bidding to become the youngest top-ranked men’s player in ATP rankings history.
- Ruud would become the first Norwegian to occupy the world No 1 spot.
- Alcaraz would be the youngest men’s grand slam winner since Rafa Nadal in 2005
Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram defend US Open doubles title with hard-fought win
Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram became just the second team in the open era to successfully defend their US Open doubles title.
With Neal Skupski and his Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof on the other side of the net, there was guaranteed to be a British winner, and it was Londoner Salisbury and American Ram who came out on top of a tight contest, winning 7-6 (4) 7-5.
It is a third grand slam title together for Ram and Salisbury, who also won the Australian Open in 2020, and they follow in the footsteps of Australian greats Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, the last team to win back-to-back titles in New York in 1995 and 1996.
The victory also means Salisbury, who has also won two mixed doubles titles, holds on to the world number one ranking. Skupski would have overtaken him had he and Koolhof lifted the trophy.
Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram defend US Open doubles title with hard-fought win
Salisbury and Ram defeated Neal Skupski and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof 7-6 (4) 7-5
Casper Ruud vs Carlos Alcaraz live stream: How to watch US Open final online and on TV tonight
Carlos Alcaraz will take on Casper Ruud for the US Open title and the world number one ranking after beating Frances Tiafoe in another five-set classic to reach his first grand slam final.
The 19-year-old is the youngest man to make a slam final since his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal won his maiden title at the French Open back in 2005.
Comparisons between the compatriots are inescapable and Alcaraz, who had battled for five sets beyond 2am in his previous two matches, showed Nadal-like powers of mental and physical endurance to recover and beat American Tiafoe 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-3.
It has been a breakthrough tournament for 24-year-old Tiafoe, who defeated Nadal for the biggest win of his career in the fourth round before becoming the first American man to make the last four in New York for 16 years and the first black American man since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
But it is third seed Alcaraz that will go forward to the final to take on Norway’s Ruud, with both men knowing victory would put them on top of the rankings – Alcaraz as the youngest man ever.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Casper Ruud vs Carlos Alcaraz: How to watch US Open final online and on TV tonight
Is the US Open final on TV tonight? Start time, channel and how to watch Casper Ruud vs Carlos Alcaraz
Casper Ruud laughs off comparisons with Erling Haaland in native Norway
Casper Ruud does not expect to match the popularity of Erling Haaland in his native Norway even if he beats Carlos Alcaraz to win the US Open and become world number one.
The climax to what has been an extraordinary grand slam tournament will be a straight shootout for a maiden major trophy for both men and top spot in the rankings.
Ruud is already the best player in his country’s history having picked up a love of the sport from his father Christian, who was a top-50 player in the 1990s.
US Open: Casper Ruud laughs off comparisons with Erling Haaland in native Norway
Sunday’s final will have a lot on the line for both Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz.
Casper Ruud into US Open final with win over Karen Khachanov
Casper Ruud defeated Karen Khachanov to reach his second grand slam final of the season at the US Open and move to within one result of taking over as world number one.
The Norwegian has not yet become a big name outside tennis but he has grown into one of the most consistent performers in the men’s game and made his first slam final at the French Open this year, losing to Rafael Nadal.
Clay is the 23-year-old’s best surface but he is catching up fast on hard courts and continued his excellent run in New York with a 7-6 (5) 6-2 5-7 6-2 win over Russian Khachanov.
Casper Ruud into US Open final with win over Karen Khachanov
Norwegian Ruud claimed a 7-6 (5) 6-2 5-7 6-2 victory in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
US Open: Carlos Alcaraz beats Frances Tiafoe to set up Casper Ruud fight for title and world No1 spot
Carlos Alcaraz will take on Casper Ruud for the US Open title and the world number one ranking after beating Frances Tiafoe in another five-set classic to reach his first grand slam final.
The 19-year-old is the youngest man to make a slam final since his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal won his maiden title at the French Open back in 2005.
Comparisons between the compatriots are inescapable and Alcaraz, who had battled for five sets beyond 2am in his previous two matches, showed Nadal-like powers of mental and physical endurance to recover and beat American Tiafoe 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-3.
Alcaraz beats Tiafoe to set up Casper Ruud fight for title and world No1 spot
Alcaraz survived another marathon match, battling past Tiafoe 6-7 (6) 6-3 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-3.
US Open win persuades Iga Swiatek the ‘sky is the limit’ for tennis career
Winning the US Open has persuaded Iga Swiatek that the “sky is the limit” for her tennis career.
The 21-year-old Pole has a huge lead in the world rankings but this was definitive proof that she is the best in the business on hard courts as well as clay.
After a 6-2 7-6 (5) victory over Ons Jabeur at Flushing Meadows that added a first US Open crown to her two French Open successes, Swiatek said: “At the beginning of the season I realised that maybe I can have some good results at WTA events. I also made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
US Open win persuades Iga Swiatek the ‘sky is the limit’ for tennis career
The world number one defeated Ons Jabeur to win her third grand slam title in New York.
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